About Us

Our History

Forestgate Presbyterian Church was a church plant from Village Seven Presbyterian Church, a sister PCA church here in Colorado Springs. We began meeting in early 1986, first in the Briargate area, and later in the Gleneagle area. We gathered in school auditoriums and shopping centers until in 1999, when we built and relocated to our current facility, located at 970 North Gate Blvd.

Our Beliefs

The Presbyterian Church in America, in setting forth the form of government founded upon and agreeable to the Word of God, reiterates the following great principles which have governed the formation of the plan:

We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of His people, and the divine and final authority for the Christian faith and life (1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21).

We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate.

We believe that the Ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict of sin, to regenerate the human heart which is dead in trespasses and sin, and to indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.

We believe that every human being was created in the image of God, but has inherited a sin nature resulting from the fall of Adam into sin. We are spiritually dead and only through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit can we receive salvation and spiritual life

We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation, and that only those who are born of the Holy Spirit and believe in Jesus become the children of God

We believe that the Lord's Supper and Baptism are the only sacraments to be observed by the church during this present age. They are not means of salvation, but rather are signs and seals of the many blessings of the New Covenant

We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead and look forward to the glorious day when Jesus shall return to judge all mankind and receive His people into heaven

Our Leadership

Our Pastors

Senior Pastor

Matt Giesman

Matt was born in Lima, OH, in 1981, but spent over 20 years living in the Deep South being raised by Midwesterners. In college, Matt studied Journalism at the University of Alabama, worked for the campus radio station, served as the Sports Editor of The Crimson White student newspaper, and served at several Christian camps.

Matt earned his Master of Divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS while interning at Trinity Presbyterian. Later, Matt served as Assistant Pastor of Youth and Families at Fort Worth Presbyterian from 2009-2011. He also served for five years as Assistant Pastor at Providence Presbyterian in Clinton, MS before moving to Colorado Springs to serve as Senior Pastor of Forestgate on October 1, 2015.

Matt is married to Liz, a registered nurse who spends most of her time raising Annabelle (born in 2013) and Benjamin (2017). The Giesmans also have an Irish Terrier named Ty who will eat anything in sight. Matt is adjusting to the cold nicely, and he’s glad to be closer to good skiing destinations. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree at Covenant Theological Seminary.

Steve was born in Anaheim, CA in 1987, but spent the majority of his childhood in Annapolis, MD. Steve studied Civil Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, where he was also a member of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).

After graduation, Steve joined the Air Force as a civil engineer. While at training in Montgomery, AL, he met Becca who was also serving in the Air Force. The two were married in 2011, at which time a very special Labrador Retriever named Ike also joined the family. After 5 years on active duty, Steve and Becca left the Air Force to move to Charlotte, NC where Steve earned his Masters of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary and interned at Christ Central Church. Their daughter Lilly joined the family in 2015, followed by Joel in 2017. The Stantons moved to Colorado Springs, Becca's hometown, in June 2017 to serve at Forestgate.

Steve and Becca enjoy spending time outside in Colorado’s vast forests, especially around Lake George, CO. They’ve been blessed by the supportive Forestgate community which has been a great source of encouragement for their first year of ministry and beyond. Steve’s hobbies include roasting his own coffee beans, growing hot peppers in their garden, munching jalapeño poppers, and smoking brisket and then making it disappear.

Our Elders

David Edling

Dave Edling grew up in Oregon and graduated a Distinguished Naval Graduate from Oregon State in 1969. He served in the sea services (Navy and Coast Guard) for 30 years (active and reserve) retiring in 1999 as a Captain (0-6). His graduate degrees include 3 Master of Arts (Human Behavior and Theology) and the Juris Doctor Law degree. Ministry employment has included 8 years on the pastoral staff of a PCA church in California and 10 years on the senior staff at Peacemaker Ministries. He and his wife Pat have 2 adult children and 6 grandchildren and they live in Monument.

Bruce Harrington

Bruce and Connie came to Colorado (and Forestgate) in 2008 from Tennessee. Bruce has served the nonprofit finance world as a chief development officer, CFO & chief investment officer. He has served as a ruling elder and teaching elder in both the PCA and EPC. In recent years he’s been consulting with nonprofit CEOs and boards. Bruce and Connie have three married children and ten grandchildren.

Alan Hemphill

Alan has lived all over the place. From MA to PA to NY, and even in rural KY & MI. For many years Alan practiced Pediatrics in Long Beach, CA, and later in Monument, CO. He has been an Elder in both the RPCNA, OPC, and PCA since 1978, before serving here at Forestgate since 2006. Gerry, Alan’s wife for 43 yrs., passed into glory in 2008, after wrestling with ALS for about 2 years. Alan has been blessed with 3 children and 4 grandchildren who are all actively serving the Lord in PA, and here in CO.

Chris Odell

Chris became a Christian in his youth. He was ordained as a PCA ruling elder in 1992 and his heart is to shepherd and protect the flock, to equip others for the work of service, and to encourage and support his fellow elders to the glory of God. Chris has been a successful executive in corporate and start-up environments in various technology companies. He is an active angel investor and board member of a number of local high tech start-ups. He also serves on the Boards of ARDM and Discover Goodwill. Chris and his wife, Molly, have attended Forestgate since its first service in February 1986. They have 4 adult married children, seven grandsons and three granddaughters.

Our Deacons

Dick Barthels

Dick and his wife, Donna, moved to Colorado Springs 5 years ago from Seattle, WA. Dick has served on the Deacons Board for the last two years and holds the office of treasurer. He also currently leads the Men’s Bible Study on Friday Morning along with serving on the Missions Ministry Team.

Alex Funke

As the deacons' Building Manager, Alex keeps the place running, with the help of many volunteer hands and our faithful service vendors. As a general contractor for over 30 years, Alex enjoys morphing his work into organizing work days and service projects. Alex and his wife Joan have been a part of Forestgate since 1986.

Dale Giebink

Dale was born and raised in Wisconsin. He became a Christian in college through the ministry of the Navigators. Dale met and married Joyce in San Antonio 1983. For 33 years Dale served as a Dentist in the US Army. Joyce and Dale have been members at Forestgate since 1999. He currently serves as a worship leader, usher coordinator, church treasurer, and deacon.

Doug Hamm

Doug and his beloved wife Shannon have been members of the PCA since 2003, and Residents of Colorado Springs since 2010. They have three children: Joshua, Caleb, and Katherine. Doug currently works as an environmental engineer in the natural gas industry. He enjoys spending time with family, reading, hiking, and playing amateur guitar.

Craig Odell

Blessed with an upbringing as a covenant child, Craig accepted Christ at a young age and does not remember a time before knowing Him. Craig works in the software industry using his gifts in engineering and computer science. Craig married his wife, Jessica, in 2009 and has two daughters and a son. His desire is to serve God and God's people for the furtherance of the Kingdom.

Stan Russell

Stan committed his life to Christ through the Officer’s Christian Fellowship (OCF). He is very happily married to Penny with two sons and three grandchildren. Stan is a Retired Army Officer and financial planner who has volunteered many years with Crown Financial Ministries. He continues to serve with with Military Community Youth Ministries (Club Beyond).

David Ulsh

Dave is married to the wonderful Evelyn Ulsh and recently celebrated 40 years together. He grew up in New York and later attended school at Montana State University. He is the proud grandpa of 5 grandchildren. Dave currently serves as the chairman of the Deacons. Like many Coloradans he enjoys hitting the slopes skiing with family